JP2010283734A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device configured to respond to a request from a user of the image formation device even in a power saving mode while minimizing cost increase of the image formation device, and improve operability of a user and print efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: This image formation device has: a control means mounted with a normal operation mode and a power saving mode for controlling the whole device; an information storage means to store information; and a communication means to transmit/receive information to/from a terminal connected thereto via a network. The connection means is equipped with a control means and a storage means operating independently of each other. In the normal operation mode, the control means responds to a request from the terminal. In the power saving mode, a control means provided in the communication means responds to the request from the terminal on behalf of the control means, based on the information received from the control means and stored in the storage means, and when a request associated with recovery of the normal operation mode is issued, information from the terminal is received and the information is stored in the information storage means until the device is restored to the normal operation mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a power saving mode.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and multi-function machines equipped with a power saving mode have been circulated as image forming apparatuses that are used in connection with a network. Yes. Since such an image forming apparatus consumes a large amount of power during operation, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus is switched to the power saving mode when not in use. Then, the image forming apparatus switched to the power saving mode stops the power supply to unnecessary circuits and controls each unit so as to suppress power consumption as much as possible. FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus as described above.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control computer 100, a scanner unit 101, a facsimile unit 102, a printing unit 103, a telephone line control unit 104, a LAN communication unit 105, a wireless communication unit 106, an operation unit 107, and the like. It has the following components. Such an image forming apparatus 1 is used in an office or home by being connected to a terminal device via, for example, a local area network (LAN).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the power saving mode, the image forming apparatus 1 stops the power of the image forming apparatus main body and is connected via an activation request by an input from the operation unit 107 in the image forming apparatus 1 or a network. In response to a print request from the terminal device or the like, control is performed so that it can be activated when necessary. At this time, access to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network is not limited to a system activation request (request) such as a print request, but is simply a printing operation such as a system configuration related to the image forming apparatus 1 and the presence / absence of options. There are also requests for status information that are needed.

  However, even when a request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network by the terminal device described above is received, when the image forming apparatus main body is in the power saving mode, a network adapter connected to the network, for example, In principle, the LAN communication unit 105, the wireless communication unit 106, and the like are also in the power saving mode. However, in such a state, the image forming apparatus 1 cannot respond to a status request from another terminal device connected to the network. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 must return from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, which is the operating state, even when responding to a simple request for status information in order to perform an operation necessary for the response. There was a problem. On the other hand, although the terminal device has a stage of printing preparation, it takes a long time to execute the operation due to the transition time of the image forming apparatus 1 to the normal operation mode. That is, there is a problem that the terminal device that made the request, including the preparation time, also enters a standby state.

  As a technique for solving the above problem, in order to control the respective states of the normal operation mode and the power saving mode, a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a sub CPU and two ASICs for peripheral control and application control of each A technique of an image forming apparatus in which (Application Specified IC) is arranged is disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the main CPU side engine and the sub CPU side IO processor that control the entire system are controlled by sharing roles in the normal operation mode and the power saving mode. ing.

  Specifically, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the engine on the main CPU side in the power saving mode is controlled to be turned off and is stopped. On the other hand, the IO processor performs connection maintenance and necessary packet communication on behalf of the engine in the power saving mode. For example, when there is a print request or the like in the power saving mode, the IO processor first sends a start signal to the engine while acting as a communication request. When the entire system enters the normal operation mode, the IO processor takes over the previous communication data and delegates subsequent control to the engine. Thereafter, the IO processor is controlled so as to keep functions such as a network and to suppress the consumption of extra power by shifting the periphery of the sub CPU to the power saving mode.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, an ASIC and a CPU for control in power saving mode and control for recovery are prepared in the system, and dedicated control is performed in the power saving mode. This makes it possible to control in the high-performance power-saving mode, but on the other hand, the system becomes complex, such as hardware resources and applications such as CPU and memory required for the power-saving mode. As a result, there is a problem that the cost increases. On the other hand, the communication unit provided in the image forming apparatus is generally equipped with a CPU and a programmable memory from the beginning in order to reduce the processing burden on the entire system and function without pressing hardware resources. Is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and solves the above-described problems, and minimizes the cost increase of the image forming apparatus, while satisfying the request from the user of the image forming apparatus even in the power saving mode. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that responds and improves user operability and printing efficiency.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a normal operation mode and a power saving mode, a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus, an information storage unit that stores information, and a terminal device connected via a network And a communication means for transmitting and receiving information, and the communication means includes a control means and a storage means that operate independently. In the normal operation mode, the control means sends a response to a request from the terminal device. In the power saving mode, the control means included in the communication means performs a response to the request from the terminal device on behalf of the control means based on the information received from the control means and stored in the storage means. When there is a request accompanied by the return to the normal operation mode, the information from the terminal device is received until the control means returns to the normal operation mode, and the information is stored in the information storage means. To.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to respond to a request from a terminal device even in a power saving mode and improve user operability and printing efficiency while minimizing the cost increase of the image forming apparatus. .

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic example of an image forming system in which image forming apparatuses according to the present embodiment are connected via a network. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a LAN communication unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a wireless communication unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of memory control of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of memory control of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of state transition of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of state transition of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus related to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic example of an image forming system in which image forming apparatuses according to the present embodiment are connected via a network. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment is connected to a network by wire or wireless via a telephone line 108, a HUB 109, and a wireless AP 110. A plurality of terminal devices 3 are connected to the local area network 2, and a print request is made to the image forming device 4 and a scanned image is taken in as necessary. In the present embodiment, an image forming apparatus having a plurality of communication units will be described as an example. However, the communication units and number are not limited to this.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration example of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment includes a control computer 100, a scanner unit 101, a facsimile unit 102, a printing unit 103, a telephone line control unit 104, a LAN communication unit 111, and a wireless communication unit 112. , An operation unit 107 and a power supply control unit 113.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the LAN communication unit 111 includes a physical layer 115, a MAC layer (Media Access Control layer) 116, a controller 117 including a CPU and a digital circuit, a storage unit 118, and the like. When these components are incorporated into the image forming apparatus 4, they are collected into several LSIs as dedicated LSIs (Large Scale Integrated Circuits), ASICs (Application Specified Integrated Circuits), and ASSPs (Application Specific Standard Products). Mounted. These components are arranged on the same motherboard as the control computer 100 or configured to be optionally mounted in the form of a module, and are mounted on the image forming apparatus 4.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the wireless communication unit 112 includes a physical layer 119, an RF circuit 120, a MAC layer 121, a controller 122 including a CPU and a digital circuit, a storage unit 123, and the like. When these components are also incorporated into an actual image forming apparatus, they are packaged in several LSIs as dedicated LSIs, ASICs, and ASSPs. These components are arranged on the same motherboard as the control computer 100 or configured to be optionally mounted in the form of a module, and are mounted on the image forming apparatus 4.

(Copying operation)
When executing copying, the control computer 100 sends a command required for processing of each unit to each unit required for copying based on an input from the user received by the operation unit 107. As a result, the scanner unit 101 and the printing unit 103 are activated, and a document set on the scanner unit 101 by a user is read by an image sensor or the like based on an input from the operation unit 107, whereby image information of the document is obtained. To get. The acquired image information is output to the recording medium in the printing unit 103. It should be noted that a copy start button may be provided on the operation unit 107, and the copy operation may be started when the user presses the copy start button.

(Scanner operation)
When executing the scanner operation, the control computer 100 sends a command necessary for processing of each unit to each unit necessary for the scanner operation based on an input from the user received by the operation unit 107. As a result, the scanner unit 101 is activated, and a document set on the scanner unit 101 by a user is read by an image sensor or the like based on an input from the operation unit 107, thereby acquiring image information of the document. Then, the acquired image information is stored in the storage unit inside the control computer 100, or transmitted to another terminal device 3 connected to the network using the LAN communication unit 111 or the wireless communication unit 112. Execute. Note that a scanner start button may be provided in the operation unit 107, and the scanner operation may be started when the user presses the scanner start button.

(Facsimile operation)
When executing the facsimile operation, the control computer 100 sends a command necessary for processing of each unit to each unit necessary for the facsimile operation based on the input from the user received by the operation unit 107. As a result, the scanner unit 101 and the facsimile unit 102 are activated, and a document set on the scanner unit 101 by a user is read by an image sensor or the like based on an input from the operation unit 107, thereby obtaining image information of the document. get. Then, after image processing is performed on the acquired image information in the facsimile unit 102, the line number of the connection destination designated using the telephone line control unit 104 is called and the image information is transmitted.

  The image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment also has a function of printing a document transmitted from the terminal device 3 in response to a request from the terminal device 3 connected via the network. When printing a document transmitted from the terminal device 3, the LAN communication unit 111 or the wireless communication unit 112 that has received the print request signal from the terminal device 3 connected via the network via the HUB 109 or the wireless AP 110. Then, preparation for data communication is performed according to a necessary procedure, and device information relating to the function and configuration of the image forming apparatus 4 is exchanged in response to a request. Thereafter, the document data is received, processed by the control computer 100, and printed on a recording medium by the printing unit 103.

  The image forming apparatus 4 also includes a power control unit 113. The power supply control unit 113 controls the power supply in the power saving mode and the normal operation mode. The power control unit 113 controls the power supply of each unit of the image forming apparatus 4 in response to control request signals from the telephone line control unit 104, the LAN communication unit 111, the wireless communication unit 112, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 4 shifts to the power saving mode by operating the operation unit 107, the control computer 100, or the like, or by sequence control. At this time, the power supply in the power saving mode is controlled by the power supply control unit 113 turning on / off the power to each component based on an instruction from the control computer 100. When shifting to the power saving mode, the normal operation mode may be restored by a start operation by the operation unit 107. In addition, a request signal from the outside is accessed to the telephone line control unit 104, the LAN communication unit 111, the wireless communication unit 112, or the like, or a return request signal is sent to the power control unit 113 and the control computer 100 using an off-hook as a trigger. In some cases, the entire system is returned from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode.

  Hereinafter, memory control in the power saving mode and the normal operation mode will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a memory control example of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment, and shows a memory control example in the normal operation mode. The controller 117 and the controller 122 mounted on the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 function as peripherals arranged in the memory map for the control computer 100 in the normal operation mode. In this state, the bus control is performed by the memory control unit built in the control computer 100 to perform network connection, communication, memory control, and the like.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of memory control of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment, and shows an example of memory control in the power saving mode. When the image forming apparatus 4 shifts to the power saving mode, the control computer 100 stops control of the entire system in order to reduce power consumption, and the controller 117 and controller 122 mounted on the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112. Take over part of the control. Note that the control function of the memory control unit of the main CPU of the control computer 100 is also stopped.

  When shifting to the power saving mode, the power supply control unit 113 controls to supply power to the main memory, and the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112, which have been peripherals until now, Grab the control of and control the memory. Thereby, the main memory of the control computer 100 can be used as the memory of the controller 117 or the controller 122. In this state, the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 receive the request from the terminal device 3 in a proxy manner, so that the terminal device 2 receives the data requested for printing even in the power saving mode. Can do. Furthermore, since the data necessary for printing exists in the memory of the control computer 100, the subsequent processing is more efficiently executed even when the control that the controller 117 or the controller 122 has taken over is returned to the control computer 100. be able to.

  When the control is returned from the controller 117 or the controller 122 to the control computer 100, the switching of the memory control unit becomes a problem. However, the switching can be performed by preparing a dedicated control signal for controlling the switching. It can be done smoothly. Further, the switching can be smoothly performed by adjusting the switching timing of the stop and start of the memory control unit with the built-in timer of the controller 117 or the controller 122. For example, after the controller 117 or the controller 122 finishes transferring the received data to the memory, the control controller 100 is activated, and the bus controller on the control controller 100 side measures the timing at which the bus can be controlled by the timer. By releasing this control, the bus control can be switched smoothly.

  Next, state transition of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The initial state is the power-off state 200 because the power is not turned on. When the power switch is turned on (processing: 201) from this state, the image forming apparatus 4 shifts to the normal operation mode 203, and all the power supplies are turned on and can be operated (normal operation mode state). On the other hand, transition to the power saving mode 206 is made by a key operation 204 or a command from the timer 205 when there is no operation for a certain period of time.

  At this time, the control computer 100 of the image forming apparatus 4 communicates with the controller 117 of the LAN communication unit 111, the controller 122 of the wireless communication unit 112, or the like. Then, when shifting to the power saving mode, the LAN communication unit 111 or the wireless communication unit 112 is allowed to take over some control in place of the control computer 100 during the power saving mode. The control computer 100 takes over control so that the LAN communication unit 111 monitors signals from the LAN port, and the wireless communication unit 112 takes over control so as to monitor radio communication signals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 117 receives the program code to be executed during the power saving mode from the control computer 100 and stores it in the storage unit 118 in the LAN communication unit 111. Similarly, the controller 122 also receives a program code to be executed during the power saving mode from the control computer 100 and stores it in the storage unit 123 in the wireless communication unit 112.

  For example, in the case of the LAN communication unit 111, the controller 117 in the LAN communication unit 111 takes over monitoring of packet communication from the Ethernet (registered trademark) network from the control computer 100 in the image forming apparatus 4 during the power saving mode. . When a request signal such as status information for the image forming apparatus 4 is received, the status information of the image forming apparatus 4 is returned in accordance with the program code received from the control computer 100 in advance. On the other hand, when receiving the print request, the controller 117 sends an activation request signal to the power supply control unit 113, and returns from the power saving mode 206 to the normal mode 203 in response to the return request signal from the power supply control unit 113 and the return of power supply. As described above, the state of the image forming apparatus 4 is changed.

  At this time, inside the image forming apparatus 4, the controller 117 and the storage unit 118 are used instead of the control computer 100 instead of waiting for the user to wait until the user becomes ready for use. The print data is received on behalf. Then, as soon as the control computer 100 becomes available, the control is transferred to the control computer 100 together with the received print data.

  It should be noted that the controller 117 may determine whether or not the remaining amount of recording medium, toner, etc. necessary for printing the data to be received by proxy is insufficient from the status information inherited from the image forming apparatus 4. . As a result of the determination, if the controller 117 determines that the remaining amount of recording medium or toner necessary for printing is insufficient, no other image forming apparatus is connected to the network under the control of the controller 117. Inquire. When another image forming apparatus is connected to the network, an inquiry is made as to whether the image forming apparatus is in a printable state. When it is determined that printing is possible, the received data is immediately transferred.

  Similarly, for example, in the case of the wireless communication unit 112, the controller 122 in the wireless communication unit 112 receives a wireless AP (wireless LAN access point) from the control computer 100 in the image forming apparatus 4 during the power saving mode. Take over monitoring of wireless packet communication. When a request signal such as status information for the image forming apparatus 4 is received, the status information of the image forming apparatus 4 is returned according to the program code received from the control computer 100 in advance. On the other hand, when receiving the print request, the controller 122 sends an activation request signal to the power supply control unit 113, and returns from the power saving mode 206 to the normal mode 203 in response to the return request signal from the power supply control unit 113 and the return of power supply. As described above, the state of the image forming apparatus 4 is changed.

  At this time, in the image forming apparatus 4, the controller 122 and the storage unit 123 are used instead of the control computer 100 instead of waiting for the user to wait until the user becomes ready for use. The print data is received as it is. Then, as soon as the control computer 100 becomes available, the control is transferred to the control computer 100 together with the received data.

  It should be noted that the controller 122 may be made to determine whether or not the remaining amount of recording medium, toner, etc. necessary for printing the data to be received by proxy is insufficient from the status information inherited from the image forming apparatus 4. . As a result of the determination, if the controller 122 determines that the remaining amount of recording medium, toner, or the like necessary for printing is insufficient, no other image forming apparatus is connected to the network under the control of the controller 122. Inquire. When another image forming apparatus is connected to the network, an inquiry is made as to whether the image forming apparatus is in a printable state. When it is determined that printing is possible, the received data is immediately transferred.

  The status information includes information such as functions provided in the image forming apparatus 4 and equipped options. For example, status information includes fixed information such as whether a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), duplex printing unit, expansion tray, etc. are equipped, and whether sorting and stapling functions are installed, toner information And variable information such as remaining amount information of ink and remaining amount of staples and recording media.

  As described above, the return from the power saving mode 206 to the normal operation mode 203 can be performed by external printing received by the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 in addition to the user operating the key operation 207 to return. The input of the request signal 208 is a condition. Note that the input of the signal 208 from the outside includes a Ring signal (call signal) from the telephone line to the telephone line control unit 104 of the image forming apparatus 4. In any state of the normal operation mode 203 and the power saving mode 206, the power switch OFF 202 and the power switch OFF 209 are operated to make a transition to the power OFF state 200.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment is an independent controller included in each communication unit in response to a status request from the terminal device 3 or the like connected via the network even in the power saving mode. Can respond by.

  Next, an example of the operation flow of the image forming apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 4 in the normal operation mode shifts to the power saving mode by a timer or the like when the user does not operate the power saving mode or is not operated for a certain time (step S1). When the mode is shifted to the power saving mode, the control of the image forming apparatus 4 shifts from the control computer 100 performing the control in the normal operation mode to the controller 117 or the controller 122. That is, the control computer 100 delegates the authority to monitor communication according to each communication unit to each communication unit. At this time, a control program is sent from the control computer 100 to the controller of each communication unit together with the status information of the image forming apparatus 4. This is performed by the control computer 100 transmitting a program code to each communication unit via a host I / F (interface). The controller of each communication unit operates to execute a command from the control computer 100 and store a program code to be executed in a storage unit in each communication unit. Thereby, after the main body of the image forming apparatus 4 shifts to the power saving mode, each communication unit performs a communication operation independently of the main body of the image forming apparatus 4 by executing a program stored in each communication unit. .

  After the transition to the power saving mode, when there is a request signal from a terminal device connected to the network to the LAN communication unit 111 or the wireless communication unit 112 which is a communication unit (step S2 / YES), the control computer 100 Instead, the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 make a proxy response (step S3). Examples of the proxy response in step S3 include a response request to another device connected to the network.

  Similarly, in the standby state in the power saving mode, when there is an inquiry about device information such as an inquiry about status information as preparation for printing from a terminal device connected to the network (step S3 / YES), the control computer 100 Instead, the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 make a proxy response for device information (step S5). The status information responded in step S5 includes information on the functions of the image forming apparatus 4 and installed options. For example, it includes fixed information such as whether an HDD, a duplex printing unit, an extension tray, and the like are installed, and whether a sorting function and a stapling function are installed. Also, status information includes variable information such as toner and ink remaining amount information and staple and paper remaining amounts.

  If there is no print request (step S6 / NO), the process proceeds to step S1 and waits in the power saving mode. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is a print request (step S6 / YES), is the controller of each communication unit ready to print from the status information of the image forming apparatus 4 based on the received print request? It is determined whether or not (step S7). When it is determined that printing is possible (step S7 / YES), the LAN communication unit 111 and the wireless communication unit 112 start proxy reception (step S8), and control is performed so that the image forming apparatus 4 returns to the normal mode. Is performed (step S9).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S7 that printing is not possible (step S7 / NO), information on other devices connected to the network is searched to search for other image forming apparatuses that can perform printing. (Step S10). If there is another image forming apparatus capable of proxy printing (step S11 / YES), the print data is transferred to the other image forming apparatus (step S12). On the other hand, if there is no other image forming apparatus that can perform proxy printing (step S11 / NO), an error message indicating that printing cannot be performed is returned to the terminal device that has transmitted the print request, and the image forming prime minister 4 again returns to the power saving mode. Wait at.

  In the present embodiment, the LAN communication unit and the wireless communication unit are described as examples of the communication unit, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  According to the present embodiment, the hardware resources of the network connection function unit such as each communication unit built in the image forming apparatus in the power saving mode are effectively used, and the entire system (apparatus body) of the image forming apparatus is Even in the standby state, it is possible to respond independently to an inquiry about status information via the network. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the convenience of the image forming apparatus and promote the smooth use of the image forming apparatus by the user.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the controller of each communication unit and the main controller of the image forming apparatus are linked without adding a new controller dedicated to the power saving mode. To reduce the waiting time until the image forming apparatus returns to the normal operation mode and starts printing through the printing request from the power saving mode by using the communication unit control and software. In addition, each communication unit performs control to receive print information in substitution. That is, the waiting time of the user can be shortened by the communication unit receiving the print information instead of the controller of the image forming apparatus main body until the image forming apparatus starts up in the normal operation mode. In addition, it recognizes other image forming apparatuses connected via a network and transfers print information from a terminal apparatus that has transmitted a print request to operate a plurality of image forming apparatuses in a coordinated manner, thereby improving printing efficiency and energy. It becomes possible to suppress consumption.

  The program for the CPU to execute the processing shown in the flowchart constitutes a program according to the present invention. As a computer-readable recording medium for recording the program, a semiconductor storage unit, an optical and / or magnetic storage unit, or the like can be used. By using such a program and recording medium in a system having a configuration different from that of each of the above-described embodiments and causing the CPU to execute the program, substantially the same effects as those of the present invention can be obtained.

  Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the preferred embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described image forming apparatus and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image form forming apparatus 2 Local area network 3 Terminal apparatus 4 Image forming apparatus 100 Control computer 101 Scanner part 102 Fax part 103 Printing part 104 Telephone line control part 105 LAN communication part 106 Wireless communication part 107 Operation part 108 Telephone line 109 HUB
110 Wireless AP (Wireless LAN access point)
111 LAN communication unit 112 Wireless communication unit 115, 119 PHYSICAL layer (physical layer)
116, 121 MAC layer 117, 122 Controller 118, 123 Storage unit

JP 2005-94679 A

Claims (4)

Equipped with normal operation mode and power saving mode,
Control means for controlling the entire image forming apparatus;
Information storage means for storing information;
Communication means for transmitting / receiving information to / from a terminal device connected via a network,
The communication means includes control means and storage means that operate independently,
During the normal operation mode,
The control means responds to a request from the terminal device,
During the power saving mode,
The control means included in the communication means responds to a request from the terminal device on behalf of the control means based on the information received from the control means and stored in the storage means, and the normal response is sent from the terminal device. When there is a request accompanying the return of the operation mode, the information from the terminal device is received until the control means returns to the normal operation mode, and the information is stored in the information storage means. An image forming apparatus.   2. The switching between the control unit that responds to a request from the terminal device and the control unit included in the communication unit, which is performed when the mode is changed, is performed based on a control signal. The image forming apparatus described. The communication means further comprises timer means for measuring timing when the control means returns to the normal operation mode,
Switching between the control means for responding to a request from the terminal device and the control means included in the communication means performed when the mode is changed is performed when the control means measured by the timer means is in a normal operation mode. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is performed based on a return timing. The information received from the control means and stored in the storage means is status information of the image forming apparatus,
The control means included in the communication means determines whether it is possible to print the print information received from the terminal device based on the status information when a print request is received from the terminal device. If it is determined that printing is not possible, a search is made for another image forming apparatus connected via a network and capable of printing the print information, and the other image forming apparatus receives it from the terminal device. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print information is transferred.

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